Solid State Drives have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their fast performance and reliability.
They are commonly used in laptops, desktop computers, and even high-end gaming consoles.
When it comes to SSDs, one crucial aspect that users often consider is storage capacity.
In this article, we will specifically discuss the storage capacity of a 128GB SSD.
You may be wondering, How many storage devices are actually present in a 128GB SSD?
This makes SSDs more reliable and less susceptible to data loss in case of power outages or physical damage.
Additionally, the lack of moving parts in SSDs allows for faster access times and improved overall performance.
SSDs have a distinct advantage over HDDs when it comes to read and write speeds.
Another significant benefit of SSDs is their durability.
Each flash memory cell can only be written to a certain number of times before it becomes unreliable.
Overall, SSDs offer a significant improvement in performance, reliability, and durability compared to HDDs.
What is 128GB?
When we talk about storage capacity, it is essential to understand what the term 128GB actually means.
Storage capacity is typically measured in bytes, with each byte representing a unit of digital information.
The prefix giga denotes a billion bytes, so 128GB translates to 128 billion bytes of storage capacity.
This is because a portion of the drives capacity is reserved for the file system and other essential functions.
The actual number of files that can be stored will vary depending on the file size and format.
These units represent different order of magnitudes, with each higher unit representing a larger storage capacity.
For instance, 128GB is equivalent to 128,000 megabytes (MB) or 0.128 terabytes (TB).
How Many Storage Devices are in a 128GB SSD?
But how many storage devices, or NAND chips, are actually present in a 128GB SSD?
SSD manufacturers utilize different configurations and arrangements to achieve the desired storage capacity.
The number of NAND flash memory chips within each package can vary as well.
This configuration would result in a total of eightNAND flash memory chips in the SSD.
Understanding the underlying structure helps us appreciate the complexity and efficiency of modern SSD technology.
Single-Level Cell (SLC):SLC is the oldest and most expensive jot down of NAND flash memory.
It stores one bit of data per memory cell, making it highly reliable and durable.
However, SLC has a lower data density, resulting in higher manufacturing costs and lower storage capacities.
SLC is commonly used in high-end industrial and enterprise applications that require the utmost reliability and performance.
This allows for higher storage capacities at a lower cost compared to SLC.
This provides higher storage capacities at a lower cost per gigabyte compared to SLC and MLC.
TLC flash memory is commonly found in consumer-grade SSDs due to its balance between cost and performance.
SSD manufacturers carefully pick the appropriate NAND flash memory key in based on the target market and use case.
Understanding these factors is essential to make informed decisions when it comes to utilizing SSDs.
There are several factors that can affect the actual usable storage capacity of an SSD.
Understanding these factors is crucial to manage storage effectively and make informed decisions when utilizing SSDs.
Over-Provisioning:Over-provisioning is a technique utilized by SSD manufacturers to ensure optimal performance and longevity of the drive.
This means that the actual usable storage capacity of an SSD is slightly less than the stated size.
The file system overhead reduces the total usable storage capacity of the SSD.
Bad Blocks and Spare Blocks:NAND flash memory cells can develop errors or become bad blocks over time.
To ensure data integrity, SSDs employ spare blocks that can be used to replace these faulty blocks.
The allocation of spare blocks reduces the available space for storing user data.
Garbage collection is another process employed by SSDs to reclaim unused space and maintain performance.
Both wear-leveling and garbage collection require some storage capacity, further reducing the usable space available.
However, operating systems and file systems use binary numbering system, based on powers of 2.
It is important to keep these factors in mind when considering the storage capacity of an SSD.
Therefore, users should take these factors into account when planning their storage needs and managing data on SSDs.
This space remains unused and is neither accessible nor visible to the user.
Unallocated space on an SSD can serve several purposes:
1.
Over-Provisioning:As mentioned earlier, SSDs allocate a certain percentage of their total capacity for over-provisioning.
This reserved space helps improve the performance, longevity, and endurance of the drive.
Garbage Collection and Wear-Leveling:Unallocated space is crucial for efficient garbage collection and wear-leveling operations.
Garbage collection helps reclaim unused space and consolidate data to ensure optimal performance.
Wear-leveling algorithms distribute write operations across the entire SSD, extending the lifespan of the drive.
Bad Block Replacement:NAND flash memory cells can develop errors or become unreliable over time.
To maintain data integrity, SSDs use spare blocks to replace these faulty or bad blocks.
Performance Optimization:Unallocated space allows the SSD to maintain consistent performance by avoiding near-full capacity scenarios.
Each pop in has its advantages and trade-offs in terms of performance, endurance, and cost.
SSD manufacturers carefully grab the appropriate NAND flash memory key in based on the specific requirements and target market.
We also discussed the various factors that can affect the actual usable storage capacity of a 128GB SSD.
However, these factors are necessary to ensure optimal performance, longevity, and reliability of the SSD.
Additionally, we learned about the importance of unallocated space on SSDs.
